1. RHINOCEROS – They Are Coming For Me (Eulogy): One of the best Eulogy releases in some time; ultra heavy hardcore with sharp songwriting and a sense of momentum. Reminds me of a bit of FLOORPUNCH and TERROR, but with a little bit of ONE KING DOWN’s drawn out bombast. The band name seems a bit silly given the gravity of the songs, but it’s memorable and captures the heft in the band’s sound.

2. DOWN TO EARTH – Prisms (Deep Elm): French trio with a big emphasis on noisy guitars and angular rhythms. I’m getting a little tired of band’s doing the angular thing, but I thought of ENGINE DOWN when listening to this and that’s only a good thing.

3. STORY OF THE YEAR – The Constant (Epitaph): There’s not another band out there that has perfected the art of “bounce up and down core” like these guys. I know that makes the music sound like it is mindless – and it’s definitely not, but for all four STORY OF THE YEAR full-lengths, my takeaway has always been a big ol’ blast of fun-time loudness, and I’m totally OK with that. Better to be consistent in doing your own thing than trying to fit into someone’s else’s skin.

4. AFTER THE FALL – Collar City (Mightier than Sword): It’s only three songs in about six minutes, but the band’s adrenaline shot of melodic hardcore does not waste a second of it. I’m still not sure I see the point of such a short release, and if not for the chance to buy it on eMusic (for what comes out to about 90 cents total), I wouldn’t have spent money on it. If anyone remembers the New Jersey band HECKLE and was into that “East Coast fury meets West Coast melody”, these songs and band’s 2009 full-length, Fort Orange, are a must listen.